selenite

views updated May 29 2018

selenite sulphate of lime or gypsum (identity of the mineral so I amed by ancient writers is dubious). XVI. — L. selēnītēs (also -ītis) — Gr. selēnītēs, f. selḗnē moon, so called because supposed to wax and wane with the moon.
So selenium (chem.) rare non-metallic element. XIX. — modL., f. Gr. selḗnē; so named because of its similarity in properties to tellurium (f. L. tellus earth), with ref. to the moon's relation to the earth as a satellite.

selenite

views updated May 08 2018

selenite See GYPSUM.

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